The Importance of Names in The Crucible by Arthur Miller

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The Importance of Names in The Crucible by Arthur Miller What is the importance of names? In this essay I will be trying to answer the question “What is the importance of names.” Based on the play – The Crucible. Briefly I will explain what happened in the play. In Salem village, Massachusetts, in 1692, which hysteria swept the area? Salem village was a puritan society, you either loved God and did no wrong or you lived with a blackened name. A group of young girls were found dancing naked in a forest. Two of the girls then fell unconscious for a few days. Some of the residents of Salem village said it was witchcraft, from then onwards madness struck in Salem village. Hundreds of people were arrested because they were said to have done work for the devil. The play then goes on to focus on two people named John and Elizabeth Proctor, who were accused and it shows how they reacted throughout the witch hysteria. To set the scene, Betty is aged ten. She was one of the girls that fell unconscious in the forest. Reverend Parris is her father and Abigail Williams is her cousin, they are both very upset about Betty. Abigail was also found in the forest with Betty. Parris is obviously upset and he starts to question Abigail. “Your name is entirely white, is it not.” he asks her, Abigail answers “There be no blush about my name.” Already names are being questioned whether they are white or black? When witchcraft was cried in Salem village, Massachusetts, Abi...

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